Statement: PS10.01

Cabinet – 14th July 2020

Re: Agenda item 10 – City Centre Development

Statement submitted by: David Redgewell

We are very pleased to see the removal of the private car from the old city and Baldwin Street and especially the closure of Bristol Bridge to the private car. This will also improve air quality. The bus gate at Bristol Bridge is to be welcomed and improvements for walking and cycling routes. It is also important to allow taxi access.

We would like to see:  the building in the High Street redeveloped by the mayor of the derelict buildings which are an eyesore to residents and visitors to Bristol;  Historic castle park and castle ruins as destinations for residents and tourists;  the mayor make this a top priority like Bristol temple meads station.

On public transport we welcome the bus system, the pavements and bus stops in Nelston street need widening and drop kerbs, in Castle Street the pavement are very narrow and need more space for social distancing.

The removal of the private car is to be welcomed with walking and cycling.

The showcase bus route through the city centre and Broadmead is to be welcomed as it's an important link cross city bus route no 2 between Stockwood, Knowle, Bristol Temple mead station, Broadmead, Clifton Down, Henleaze, Southmead, Henbury and cribbs causeway bus station. This route is an important part of the city bus deal with Bristol mayor and the metro mayor and the west of England combined Transport authority.

The scheme need be designed to allow for disabled passengers wheelchair users and blind people with guide dogs especially those who are unable to social distance.

We welcome the bus operations via Fairfax street and Broadwear to allowed more social distancing in Broadmead and cabot circus. The plan needs to include more public toilets, especially in castle park, the city centre and around the bus station area. We need a changing place and public toilets in the city centre. The only ones at present are at cribbs causeway shopping centre and Bristol temple circus offices.

The public realm is very important and need good quality pavements and open spaces.

The redevelopment of the bear pit would be welcomed including filling it in and a new road layout. Improvements to Bus stopping facilities on the Haymarket would be welcomed, but would be concerned about if all traffic is redirected via the Bristol Royal infirmary with its hospitals and poor air quality.

It is very important that light rail system is included in the plan for the future around the Victoria street,Bristol Bridge and the city centre towards North Bristol and south through Bristol Temple meads station towards south Bristol.

Links towards oid market need redesigning with bus stops being moved and pavements widening.

Both through oid market street and west street. To invest in gay villages and LGBTQ community.

Improvements also need to be made to the ferry terminal and disabled access.

With regard to public transport access we are concerned about the lack of evening and weekend service on the Bristol and Bath city region bus network and would ask the metro mayor to restore these bus service as soon as possible including daily links from Bristol to Bath via Bitton route 37 35 Bristol to Kingswood and Marshfield.

Weekend services to Weston super mare x2x8 to Nailsea 178 to Midsomer Norton and Radstock x7 p to chepstow.

The Government has asked weca mayoral transport authority to look at evening and weekend service. Following the shops restaurant and public Houses being opened. On 4th July 2020.

We fully support this city centre plan it's most important that public transport is improved to the city centre including portway parkway railway station M32 bus lanes and a park and ride site.

The plan still needs to improve coach station and parking facilities within the city centre. As a major west country Tourist destination.